The dream walk contract opened my eyes to new possibilities. I've spent the past month immersed in cutting-edge tech, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with cybernetic enhancements. Jiangnan Cybernetics, my new shell company, is already churning out impressive designs. It's exhilarating to see my concepts materialize into tangible improvements for my own performance.

But it's not just about raw power or efficiency. Each piece must be tailored to the individual, a reflection of their essence. It's like painting on the canvas of the soul with circuits and chrome. While I prefer the understated elegance of black and dull chromeware for my work as an assassin and criminal, I recognize that others might seek something more... expressive.

The challenge lies in balancing function with identity. A street samurai might want flashy, intimidating augmentations, while a corporate spy needs subtlety and concealment. It's not just about what the tech can do, but how it integrates with the user's psyche and lifestyle.

I find myself pondering the philosophical implications. Are we enhancing our humanity or slowly replacing it? Perhaps it's both. In the end, these augmentations are tools, extensions of ourselves. They should empower, not overshadow.

As I refine my designs, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This technology could be the key to elevating my game, to securing my family's position in ways my brothers haven't even considered. The future is chrome, and I intend to shape it.

You know, for a moment there I thought everything was coming up Eddie. Guess the fuck not, I have fire-cancer. Thanks universe for reminding me that I'm a piece of shit that doesn't deserve to live. And you know what, fuck you for punishing me for that, you're the motherfucker that put all those goddamn elements and atoms and shit together that made me this way. I'm trying to be a good person out here! That's what all this contract shit is for, so that I can protect my family and blow up shit in space so that less people get hurt. FUCK. 

ANYWAY

I had my first date. It was with Harriet which I did not see coming ( does she even like me like that? do I even like her like that???). I didn't see the fire cancer coming either, which I learned about during the aforementioned first date of my life. Jesus on a cheese bus, yesterday was so goddamn fucked. At least the strawberry shake was good.

Whatever. I'm deciding to give fate the middle finger because I'm a goddamn Claude-Schaefer and that's how the fuck we roll. So, I'm gonna figure out what the hell is going on that my blood cells are turning into ashes or whatever the fuck, I'm gonna kick Caeser's ass, and then I'm going to space. Just gotta figure out how. 

Here's my plan so far. 

The doctors said they've not seen what's going on with me before and lately, I've been blowing up shit with my own body instead of explosives straight no chaser so I'm guessing there's supernatural bullshit afoot to take care of. I need more information. I feel like most likely I'm cursed or that my powers are overwhelming my body. Might be a secret third thing too. Is there a vengeful god after me cause they find my antics annoying? Am I getting trolled by a literal troll or something? Have I upset the natural order and this is the good Lord's way of maintaining equilibrium? Who can say, friends, who can say, only time will tell.

I need more info on Caesar before I can plan my plot against him for real. I need to know his closest allies, his enemies, I need to meet anyone else working for him that has powers too. I will do whatever it takes to kill that piece of shit, talking about me like I'm a fucking commodity. Bitch, I will END YOU.

Wooooooo ok, just gonna take a breather before this last bit. Phew. Alright, let's go. 

I haven't done much on the going to space front, except for maybe getting more money. I'm still gonna need to put that on a back burner for a bit but...I think if I talk to some of my professors about it, someone might be interested about the project. OOooo wait, are there billionaire arsonists? Or some other kind of rich and greedy schmuck who want exotic asteroid minerals or somebody who wants charity tax deductions? Could also frame it as sending dangers to society out to space where they can be a contributing member of society from a safe distance instead of being delinquents. Maybe I could get them to fund this! That might be stupid but it also might be worth a shot. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous about the police interview, but we all knew this day would come. I mean honestly, I'm overdue for a personal law enforcement crackdown. I'll just...try to play it cool.

Yeah...

Yup.

...

God, I'm so fucked aren't I.

I made it to the hospital, before practically passing out from my injuries on the doorstep. I vaguely recall dialing Vivian's number - I knew she was a healer, and I'd saved her details into my phone when she handed me her card on my first contract.

I woke up in a hospital bed, Vivian standing over me. She'd healed me, and I looked around in panic for a second, trying to see if Clementine was ok. Fortunately, she was. I explained how I got my injuries to Vivian, and she told me that she was planning on healing more people in the hospital. I stuck around in gratitude, and it was a good thing I did.

After every healing, Vivian looked more and more worn out, until eventually I'm practically carrying her along. Several times, I had to direct her away from doctors and security guards who would have spotted her doing impossible things.

Eventually, she was tapped out, and we left the hospital with no further incidents, and I made my way back home to England.

The past month has been a blur of self-improvement and transformation. I've pushed my limits, testing the boundaries between flesh and machine. My stealth capabilities have improved significantly—I can now move through shadows with barely a whisper, my footsteps muffled by new shock-absorbing implants. The city's underbelly is my playground, and I'm becoming its ghost.

But the real work? That's been internal. I've spent countless hours in my workshop, tinkering, inventing, pushing the envelope of what's possible. New neural interfaces, experimental nanobots, cutting-edge power cells—each innovation brings me closer to my goal. The line between creator and creation blurs with every passing day.

The most significant change, though, has been physiological. I've devoted long days and nights to altering my very being, guided by insights granted by my source powers. It's a delicate dance—balancing biological processes with mechanical efficiency. Each implant, each modification is a calculated step towards becoming something... more.

As I work, I can't help but reflect on humanity's long dance with tools and technology. From the first stone axe to the latest quantum computer, we've always sought to extend ourselves beyond our natural limitations. It's our greatest strength and, perhaps, our fatal flaw. We create, we adapt, we evolve—not through slow biological processes, but through rapid technological leaps.

My cyberware isn't just an addition to my body; it's an extension of my will, a physical manifestation of human ingenuity and ambition. Each implant is a testament to our species' relentless drive to overcome our limitations. In a way, I'm just the latest chapter in a story that began when the first human picked up a stick and thought, "I can do more with this."

But this is just a step. A significant one, sure, but still just a step. I'm becoming who I need to be, yes, but the journey is far from over. There's always another upgrade, another modification, another way to push the envelope. The goal isn't just to blend man and machine—it's to transcend both, to become something that can navigate the complexities of this new world we've created.

As I sit here, feeling the quiet hum of my latest implants settling into my system, I can't help but wonder: what's the next step? And more importantly, am I ready for it? Only time will tell. For now, I'll keep pushing, keep improving.

Despite everything, time marched ever-onwards. Though it may not be able to heal everything, the impact of my last contract was eventually softened and made to fade thanks to mamá y papá's love and care. Another thing that helped me with recovering from that ordeal was my intermittent contact with Vivian: she was going through similar things at the moment, and had said that she even went out to a random hospital to heal some injured patients as a sort of penance. I'm sure you'd approve of that, Thia - I sure do.

But, instead of any penance of my own, I decided to get over my moping about in a different way: information gathering. We were given our biggest clue yet with regards to your untimely death, after all, so a good week and a half were spent on milking it for all it was worth via internet sleuthing and papá's access to the law enforcement's criminal records. The latter didn't yield anything when it came to her, but the rest... I was one step closer to getting the both of us some closure.

...Though I'm still unsure if I'd actually pursue it in such a direct way. I'm afraid of dying and leaving both you and my parents all alone.

Papá and I have also did some research on the general area of Ormond and a bit beyond it. The bad news are that the Bastards of Salem have been bolstering their ranks thanks to the whole Equalizer situation - and this unfortunately includes the local chapter's numbers. The good news: I learnt of a local meet-and-greet group of supernaturals as well, primarily Gen-Wyld enhancement enthusiasts. It's apparently been around for about three years already, and is called 'Ormond Oddities'.

Also, we managed to find out about a good dozen or so of supernatural - or supernatural-leaning - people in this area. I've yet to make contact with any of them, but knowing that they exist at all is good groundwork for our whole Fallen Family idea, right?